File photo of Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaking to media in Winnipeg in March 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Bibeau says government committed to federal plant breeding

Seed royalty consultations stalled

The Canadian government is committed to plant breeding, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told members of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation on Tuesday. Some farmers and seed industry officials suspect Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) variety development work, along with many other programs, will be on the chopping block post-COVID-19 as the government tackles its […] Read more

(Fentino/E+/Getty Images)

Bibeau promises help to farmers on rising carbon tax

Funds expected to help farmers cut emissions

A steadily rising carbon tax has a lot of Western Canada’s grain farmers wondering how they’ll compete in world markets against competitors not subjected to a similar tax. “I think the world market is also looking towards a greener economy and always more sustainable agriculture,” federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said when the question was […] Read more


CBOT January 2021 soybeans with Bollinger (20,2) bands. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Profit-taking pressures soybeans

Corn futures firm, wheat weak

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures eased on Wednesday on a profit-taking setback after approaching 4-1/2-year highs, traders said. Corn futures ended firmer on technical buying, while wheat dipped. Concerns about dry conditions limiting crop potential in key corn- and soy-growing areas of South American underpinned the market, with strong demand weighing on global […] Read more

Les Henry: The ground beneath our feet

Les Henry: The ground beneath our feet

To understand soil, we must understand what is beneath it

Hang on tight — this could be a rough ride. I will take you down some very deep gopher holes and hopefully stretch your mind a bit in the process. We are not talking about those claustrophobic tubes that run underground in places like Toronto or New York or about criminal activities. We are talking […] Read more


Husky Energy’s ethanol plant at Minnedosa, Man., about 45 km north of Brandon. (HuskyGrain.com)

Husky, Cenovus shareholders approve merger deal

Cenovus to be Western Canada's biggest ethanol, DDGS producer

Reuters — Cenovus Energy’s $6.07 billion deal to buy Husky Energy was approved by the shareholders of the two companies on Tuesday, creating Canada’s No. 3 oil and gas producer in a rapidly consolidating industry. Cenovus said 93 per cent of shareholder votes were cast in favour of the merger at a special meeting, while […] Read more

CBOT January 2021 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Bullish crush data sparks rally in soybeans

CBOT corn, wheat futures firm

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rallied on Tuesday, supported by a report showing processors were busier than expected during November, adding further pressure to a tight supply base, traders said. The strength in soybeans pulled corn higher, which closed in positive territory after trading lower for much of the session. Wheat futures also […] Read more


Bourgault is offering an air planter option on its 3820 and 3335 drills.

Unveiling the air planter

Bourgault introduces an air planter option for its drills

In the industry, there are a lot of canola producers that are interested in and playing around with planters, says Rob Fagnou, marketing specialist at Bourgault. “(They’re) trying to get their (seeding) rates down as low as possible and control them at low rates to reduce their costs. And we also see more corn and […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat slides on Russian export tax details

CBOT soybean, corn futures firm

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures dropped 2.9 per cent on Monday, their biggest daily sell-off in two weeks, with traders saying that Russia’s export tax plan was bearish for prices in the short term. Soybean futures were firm, supported by a rising forecast for imports by top global producer Brazil, while corn edged […] Read more


Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, with Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna (l) and Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault (r), speaks at the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa on Dec. 11, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

New greening programs planned for ag alongside carbon tax hike

Carbon price to hit $170 per tonne by 2030

A new federal climate plan which further cranks up taxes on carbon emissions also includes pledges of new programs to help sink more carbon into farmland. The government on Friday released the sequel to its 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change — a “strengthened” climate plan, titled A Healthy Environment and a […] Read more

Pea yields are challenged by disease, specifically with aphanomyces, which is a soil-borne disease that has long life in the soil. The creation of a resistant variety would be a game changer in the pea seed market.

Farmers’ needs drive variety trends

Q & A with an expert

Q: What makes the biggest little seed on the block? A: New grain varieties are constantly entering the marketplace. These varieties bring new innovations including updated disease resistance and yield improvements. But what makes certain varieties stand out over others and their names well known? It is the balance of all desired traits into varieties […] Read more